Hawks should look at Larry Drew for coaching job
Larry Drew, an assistant under Mike Woodson, has the advantage of already knowing the Hawks problems.
I’ve made it a practice to never prejudge a coach. Too many “obscure” hires have gone on to be great successes. Too many “name” hires have gone on to fall on their face.
Some people thought the Falcons were visionaries for hiring Bobby Petrino and Georgia was desperate for hiring Mark Fox. Oops.
So it follows that it would be silly to prejudge the Hawks’ next coach. However — you knew this was coming, didn’t you? — it occurred to me that given the likely parameters of general manager Rick Sund’s coaching search, a top candidate might be right under their noses: Hawks assistant coach Larry Drew.
Follow me through some of these names:
♦ Avery Johnson: How do you knock this guy? He had a .735 winning percentage at Dallas. He reached the
Loading ...NBA finals in his second season, losing to Miami with Dwyane Wade, a rejuvenated Shaquille O’Neal and a pretty fare postseason coach in Pat Riley. The fact he played point guard can only help the development of Jeff Teague. For all the criticism of quick playoff exits the last two years, have you seen what Rick Carlisle has done with that Mavericks since Johnson was fired? Nothing. All that said, do I think Johnson is headed to Atlanta? No. If the Hawks can close a deal with him, it’s because the Atlanta Spirit is willing to pay more for a coach than we believe, or Johnson is willing to accept less than we think.
♦ Tyrone Corbin: The former Hawk is an assistant coach for Utah’s Jerry Sloan, one of the great and under-appreciated coaches in NBA history. That’s good enough for me. Corbin is thought of highly
Loading ...enough that he’s considered Sloan’s heir apparent. He also has been mentioned for openings in Chicago and New Orleans. Pretty strong comments from Jazz guard Wesley Matthews in the Salt LakeTribune: “He’ll be a great head coach some day.” Why? “His passion for the game, and he’s tough. But he understands everything, too. And he’s going to make you better. That’s what you want from your coach.”
♦ Dwane Casey: Some perceive him as the leading candidate. Not really sure why. Hiring a coach who went 53-69 in a season and a half and was fired by the Timberwolves probably wouldn’t stir the masses. Maybe he’s a good young coach. Maybe he got a raw deal in Minnesota. I’m just saying there’s really not much to go on. But Sund knows Casey from their Seattle days so that counts for something.
♦ Larry Drew: He is a bright guy, well-liked and respected by the players. Is he a risk? Absolutely. Most assistant coaches are a risk because they’ve never been a head coach before. But here’s the advantage Drew has over other “risk” picks: He has been here. He knows the locker room. He knows the idiosyncrasies of Josh Smith, Joe Johnson (if he’s back), Mike Bibby and others. He knows the potential of Teague. Sund says he wants a new voice. The fact Drew has been Mike Woodson’s assistant doesn’t mean he’s the same voice as Woodson. Familiarity could work in his favor, not against him. He knows why defensive effort was inconsistent and the offense often fizzled in the fourth quarter.
The feeling out process for an assistant coach from the outside could be long. Only a proven outsider like Avery probably could command immediate respect in the locker room. Otherwise, there will be a feeling out process. That won’t exist with Drew. He’s worth a look. A long look.
♦
Earlier posts
Is it ‘hot seat’ time already for Mark Richt at Georgia?
Georgia Tech, ACC content to watch expansion for now
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117 comments Add your comment
John
May 19th, 2010
11:31 am
Jeff Van Gundy? I think he is far better than Stan who is a good coach too. I think we should at least see if he is interested.
mdirect
May 19th, 2010
11:38 am
What about Mark Price? He’s an Atlanta guy and a leader.
UGA'91
May 19th, 2010
11:42 am
Here’s my problem with Hawks fans, local media types, and the Hawks front office in general…Anytime we get a good head coach, we believe the grass will be greener with another head coach. No planning, no forethought. Hawks get eliminated from the playoffs (usually second round) let’s fire the coach that took us there, So we go from the Hubie Brown’s, Mike Fratello’s, and Lenny Wilkens of the world, to Terry Stotts’, Lon Kruger’s, and Bob Weiss’es of the world..Bob (freakin) Weiss! Know, rather than giving Woody a true big man and a mobile experianced point guard, we fall back to what we always do…Get an inexperianced assistant or a retread. A sure sign of crazy is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Classic!
Gary
May 19th, 2010
12:14 pm
So let me get this straight. For those of us who are employed, if our boss was to get fired, and we took over as the new boss, would we make the same decisions on how to run the company?
I dont think so. People have different opinions, but sometimes, as a good employee, you will fall in line with your boss and/or the culture. But when you are in charge, you have more authority to make changes.
Big Ray,
Woody also said that his assistants wanted to double Wade in the Miami series, but Woody refused. This was part of the reason why Wade averaged almost 30 ppg and the series went 7 games.
An important issue to me, is we need a HC who can reach out to JJ and make him feel comfortable about staying (all things being equal), and be able to incorporate JJ into our (new) offense. We need a guy who will push the players, and help develop Teague.
Jeff,
How do you feel about Tom Thibodeau?
Feudfinder
May 19th, 2010
12:15 pm
Mr. Schultz, What does ASG have to lose in hiring Larry Drew? Nothing but save some money. If there is anybody who knows what improvement the team needs, I think it’s that man.
Furman Bisher
May 19th, 2010
12:16 pm
Yeah, Drew will be named coach just as soon as they announce that Josh Smith will be starting at the small forward this year!
What a dummy Schultz is! Why write basketball when you aren’t familar with the sport?
Hey Schultz, why not bring Woody back to assist Drew?!
JSS
May 19th, 2010
12:16 pm
@ Jeff Schultz…
Check your AJC email, I sent you the link… I came across it via USA Track and Field, it is most likely from British Athletics (who Johnson commentates for)…
@UGA’91
You tell ‘em!
CrazyDiamond
May 19th, 2010
12:20 pm
Billy Knight, Larry Drew, and Mike Woodson. All team mates on the Kansas City Royals in 1985. The Hawks need a new voice and a break from the some old same old.
Paul Hewitt
May 19th, 2010
12:21 pm
I am right down the road.
CrazyDiamond
May 19th, 2010
12:22 pm
Kansas City Kings (not Royals). KC was Cinn Royals before move to KC
GoldenRetriever
May 19th, 2010
12:27 pm
Lets make Dominique Wilkins a temporary (interim) coach for the Hawks as a PLAYER-COACH until the Hawks find their permanent coach. Wilkins can still play, but would have to drop his broadcast duties as an analyst alongside Bob Rathman. The Hawks should go on an extensive search to find a competent, proven coach who has won at least one championship.
Jeff Schultz
May 19th, 2010
12:39 pm
Big Ray — Thanks. Great points. Hey look everybody, somebody agrees with me! Shout out to Ray, my man!
Jeff Schultz
May 19th, 2010
12:41 pm
JMarable — So going the been-there/done-that route, who would be your choice? Avery Johnson, Jeff Van Gundy, Byron Scott? And what if ownership won’t pay that much?
Jeff Schultz
May 19th, 2010
12:42 pm
Dub366 — Hey look! That’s two. I’m on a roll . . .
ELVISINTHEHOUSE.
May 19th, 2010
12:43 pm
If were going to hire drew we might as well hire spud webb.Drew being under woodson might be different in opinion but same chemistry.I will say hell to the no.bring in a avery johnson jeff vangundy or even B.scott.
Jeff Schultz
May 19th, 2010
12:43 pm
Tonyv-Atl — If we’re going to go the outside-the-box route of somebody who’s never coached like Mark Jackson, I’d prefer Steve Smith.
Jeff Schultz
May 19th, 2010
12:45 pm
Gary — Also great points. … Wow, suddenly I don’t feel so alone.
Jeff Schultz
May 19th, 2010
12:45 pm
Feudfinder — Thanks.
Jeff Schultz
May 19th, 2010
12:46 pm
Furman Bisher — Pretty sure this isn’t you.
Jeff Schultz
May 19th, 2010
12:46 pm
Will do, thanks.
Jeff Schultz
May 19th, 2010
12:47 pm
Paul Hewitt — Yes, you are. And that’s where you’ll stay, mister.
Jeff Schultz
May 19th, 2010
12:47 pm
Goldenretriever — Why would you hire an interim coach when you have the entire offseason to hire a real one?
Jeff Schultz
May 19th, 2010
12:48 pm
Elvisinthehouse — Spud Webb judged the Slam Dunk contest this year. That should be an easy transition to coaching.
Tweets that mention Hawks should consider Larry Drew for coaching job | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
May 19th, 2010
12:50 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Hawks Fan Zone. Hawks Fan Zone said: This must be your Wednesday “I need to hump somebody's leg Day”: That sounds exactly what the Hawks need (ie Josh … http://bit.ly/9QwOsO [...]
david
May 19th, 2010
12:59 pm
Yeah that’s what we need is Woodson’t asst. That’s crack pipe wisdom. That’s always what you want to do is fire the coach and get his asst and expect different results. Schultz, maybe Drew to take your place but not to coach this team. Remember DIFFERENT direction is the goal. What a joke. Save face and write a column tomorrow that you were just joking to get everybody fired up and to let everybody know that you really aren’t that stupid.
C Mack
May 19th, 2010
1:12 pm
Larry Drew might not be a bad guy for the job. Me like everyone else would love to have Avery Johnson. Ty Corbin would be a great fit also. When it comes down to it we need a coach that players respect and are little afraid of at the same time. The reason Josh Smith does’nt come past half court on defense some times is because he knows Woodson is not going to do anything about it. We need some who will bench his but and show him whos boss. I love Josh’ talent but his attitude sucks.
GT Alum
May 19th, 2010
1:26 pm
So, does that mean Woodson also fought his assistant coaches on implementing more fluid offensive sets and better defensive schemes? He would’ve had to have ignored his coaches on almost every point for one of them to be what this team needs. If he was that stupid and stubborn in his first head coaching job, he should’ve been out of here years ago.
If the Hawks make someone one’s already on the bench the head coach, most of the villagers will be going to Sund’s office carrying torches and pitchforks. For those who ask what the Hawks have to lose by hiring Drew – they can lose a lot of their fan base. The fans will force Drew to prove himself before they support this team under him. Just to make it clear, I’m not saying I would abandon the team, but I would definitely be skeptical.
My vote would be for Corbin. I’ve always admired what Jerry Sloan has done in Utah. He’s made Utah a place NBA players actually want to go to. His teams tend to be everything the Hawks aren’t – tough, focused, aggressive, defensive-minded, and they run smooth offensive sets. Sounds like Ty is very much a protege of Sloan, and he has ties to the Hawks.
ELLIS
May 19th, 2010
1:27 pm
I understand that if we lose Joe that we will not have the financial wherewithal to replace him with an upper eschelon talent. I don’t understand that but lets assume that its true. Why would a proven coach come to the hawks without any assurance of Joe Johnson’s return? Jeff, Is it likely to expect Avery Johnson to sign on to a team with such a huge “unknown”?
David
May 19th, 2010
1:33 pm
Let nique call the game as he playing that would be funny as Hell. We wont any games but it would be entertaining…….seriously hire Tye Corbin we can pick and roll with Teague and Horford…..Stockton to Malone….
David
May 19th, 2010
1:34 pm
Wont win any games.
mikemc
May 19th, 2010
1:35 pm
In Philly Doug Collins is getting a lot of attention as possible 76′ers coach. I haven’t heard his name mentioned in Atlanta. Why not?
GoldenRetriever
May 19th, 2010
1:45 pm
Jeff Schultz: There arent that many good coaches out there who are unemployed right now. Mike Brown is supposed to be getting fired this week, but Brown couldnt help the Cavs win a title so Brown came up short at Cleveland, although his regular-season coaching record is pristine (two consecutive 60 win seasons–unprecedented). I dont think Mike Brown would do much better with a Hawks roster because Brown couldnt get LaBron James a championship ring. On the other hand, Nique is a huge hawks fan, broadcaster, former player, hall of famer and really has his heart into the Hawks. Nique wants the Hawks to do well and has put his personal stamp on the Hawks. To make Nique the interim coach, what you’re really saying is “Nique, just keep the Hawks competitive until the coach you really want who is currently employed (Greg Popovich, Phil Jackson or Jerry Sloan) right now, eventually retires, resigns or gets fired. Popovich has a great resume and has coached the Spurs to many titles; however, Sloan is a proven coach and has guided Utah to many playoff appearances (somewhere around 20) probably most in NBA history. Sloan is a no-nonsense coach who can handle the difficult personalities and is known to get the maximum out of his players. The Hawks really need someone long-term who has a) great coaching skills; and b) proven to take a roster to either the conference finals or the NBA finals. To answer your question, the entire offseason still may not produce the head coach for the Hawks because the Hawks will probably choose from the pool of people who are currently looking for jobs. But the great head coaches, i.e. Greg Popovich, Phil Jackson, names like that you might have to wait for them to either retire or quit and then somehow convince them to coach the Hawks. I think if the Hawks want to hire someone relatively soon, they could possibly choose either Byron Scott or Avery Johnson to coach the Hawks. Hopefully the Hawks can find someone who can fill the Hawks coaching vacancy.
Atta
May 19th, 2010
1:53 pm
All of those who are making nasty comments about Larry Drew can go and take the next shuttle to mars. Sounds like you are jealous and wish you had an opportunity to play moreless coach a NBA team. Let’s see you how your occupation compares to the position that Larry Drew have. If he don’t get the opportunity to coach at least he has made further than some of you morons who are casting stones.
GT Alum
May 19th, 2010
2:14 pm
GoldenRetriever, I’ve gotta say I think you are really dreaming. None of the coaches you are talking about are going to be fired. The only one I can see leaving without leaving the game is Jackson. If Jackson goes somewhere else, he’s going to want top dollar to go to a team that has highly intriguing talent that he thinks he can take to a championship. People are saying we aren’t willing to pay what it will take to get Johnson. If that’s the case, there’s no way we can afford Jackson.
DHunt
May 19th, 2010
2:17 pm
Since no one else seemed to notice it, Larry Drew did not play for the Hawks, that was John Drew and he was traded away for Nique, and later fell into a drug habit.
Moving on. It’s ridiculous to even think Larry Drew would be the same as Woodson. Drew spent 10 years in the league playing point guard and the past 16 years coaching. Surely he has developed his own thought process about how the game should be played by now. Then there’s the fact that he’s a former point guard. Pretty little chance that he would run an iso-offense that basically ignores the point guard position. And every chance that he will be able to get production out of the point guard position we haven’t seen since Mookie left.
I think if he can convince Sund that he categorically disagreed with much of what Woody was doing, especially on the offensive side (and each and every candidate is going to have to denounce what was going on), he’s just as reasonable a choice as any other candidate that’s been mentioned. Has a hell of a lot more experience than most of them in fact. And consider this. He already knows intimately what was happening in that locker room. No learning curve, no getting to know each other, but still in all likelihood, a 180 degree turn in team philosophy. We don’t want a huge drop off with this team, it seems only reasonable to rock to boat as little as possible.
GT Alum
May 19th, 2010
2:19 pm
Jeez, Atta, are you one of Drew’s kids or something? People will pick apart every candidate for this opening, just like they will every candidate to replace Bobby Cox and for the Thrashers’ coaching position. And, if you think this is bad, if he is hired, just wait for the Hawks to encounter any kind of adversity – people will tear him apart like a pack of jackals on a gazelle. Just look at the success Bobby Cox has had and the criticism he still gets. It’s part of coaching. You have to have a thick skin.
Mr. Mojo
May 19th, 2010
2:24 pm
This ownership is a joke they want people to come and watch thsi team but yet they dont want to put more money into the team. We cant hire a better coach cause we dont want to pay for one? That is rediculous. If they say they want to win then that shouldnt matter. this team needs an experienced coach not some first time coach. As for Drew No way we need new blood if they were so different I am sure being he was Woody’s assistant that he could of talked to Woody about things he felt they can do.
Atta
May 19th, 2010
2:40 pm
No I am not one of Drew’s kids or something (as you put it). I’m just calling it like I see it! In addition, my comments still stands as is!
GT Alum
May 19th, 2010
2:49 pm
Well, then, you belong to the same category that you put all Drew’s critics in.
R-Mak
May 19th, 2010
2:57 pm
Hey Jeff I really like Corbin as my first choice but is it too crazy to think about Lenny Wilkens as a candidate? Last I heard he was a sports analyst for college hoops.
Atta
May 19th, 2010
2:58 pm
And… I know where you belong!
PaulWinchester
May 19th, 2010
3:03 pm
Has anyone contacted ex-Hawk Isiah Rider about the Hawks coaching vacancy? Im sure he would wreck the Hawks even more than Mike Woodsen did.
Marcus
May 19th, 2010
3:08 pm
SI is reporting that Blazers asst. coach is on the list to interview with the ATL Hawks:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/basketball/nba/05/19/demopolous.hawks/index.html
SirReal
May 19th, 2010
3:37 pm
@PaulWinchester That was funny.
Jeff,
I think it’ll be a while before we have a new coach, even though I like Drew. He probably questioned a lot of Woodson’s decisions. It better happen before 7/1 if they plan on trying to keep Joe Johnson though or bringing in one of the huge names this summer. The coach is very important in the decision making for free agents…
Feudfinder
May 19th, 2010
4:03 pm
Pardon me, and with due respect to Jerry Sloan. Sloan has been a coach at Utah for almost a century now. He is yet to get a ring as a coach if I am correct. Just because Jerry Sloan is a tough coach does not mean his assistant will automatically be tough. Because Woodson was not very inspiring does not mean Larry Drew will follow his step. It just makes sense to look within before looking outside first. For those who do not have the sense that is common,answer this question. Would you have given Jerry Sloan these many years as the Hawks coach if all he did was reaching finals and getting swept in the semis for that long? Think about that .The truth hurts. doesn’t it ?Always be fair when you make analysis.
Feudfinder
May 19th, 2010
4:19 pm
Did Mike Woodson wreck the Hawks? Somebody is having difficulty with CHOICE OF WORDS. I know i’m taking Definition 101this summer.
GoldenRetriever
May 19th, 2010
4:19 pm
Feudfinder: the way you are slamming Jerry Sloan you are likening him to Bobby Cox of the Braves, someone who has made the playoffs alot but has nothing to show fir it. The reason why I mentioned Jerry Sloan was for two reasons: #1) his teams have made the playoffs for about 20 consecutive years, going back to Karl Malone and John Stockton; and #2) the absolutely incredible job that Sloan has done coaching and molding Deron Williams into possibly the best point guard in the game today. Many nba fans/coaches/players etc. feel today that Deron Williams is the best point guard in the league. Williams certainly looks like it to me, although there are talented great point guards like Rajon Rondo, Jamier Nelson and Chris Paul. Although that is debatable now that Rondo has looked so awesome in the playoffs, alot of folks will say its Rondo now who is the best. Chris Paul would have been sensational had he not gotten injured so much. For me, after seeing Rondos stat line the other night of 29pts 18boards and 13 assists against Cleveland, its hard not to say Rondo is not the best. I guess if you compare Deron Williams to Rajon Rondo its like comparing apples to oranges. They both are required to do different things for their respective teams but I think they both are spectacular. I think Williams is slightly ahead, but Rondo is improving all the time. Who is the best is probably left for debate and there is probably no wrong or right answer depending on who you like better.
Feudfinder
May 19th, 2010
4:42 pm
Hey GoldenRetriever, bro, I never underrated Jerry Sloan. As a matter of fact, he is one the best coaches out there. I only used a short-term and a long-term coaching comparison. I am one of the fans who think that Mike Woodson had reached a point of return with this team, and as result, the best thing possible was to part ways amicably. My point is because Sloan is tough does not Corbin is tough,and because Woodson did not live up to fans expectation does not make Larry Drew a bad coach. PEACE!!!
Jeff Schultz
May 19th, 2010
5:14 pm
Sir Real — Rick Sund indicated to me that a coach will be in place before the draft and free agency.
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